Mildred M. Cottman, 95

HARBESON - After living a prosperous life, the trumpet sounded and the archangel called one of its brave soldiers to rest and Mildred Cottman, of Harbeson, went peacefully to sleep in Jesus on Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital. She was 95.

Born on Aug. 23, 1912, in Oak Orchard, she was the daughter of the late John and Ethel Bell Ricketts Harmon.

Mildred met the love of her life and married Virgil Washington Cottman.

She was a homemaker for many years and believed mothers should stay at home and raise their children.

After becoming a widow, she worked as a domestic.

Her most valuable and lovable work was buying items to sell at her yard sale, whether at home, the Laurel Flea Market, or in the parking lot at the Millsboro IGA.

Mildred was a member of the Millsboro Seventh-day Adventist Church of Millsboro. She was a faithful member and served in positions as an usher, which she loved very much, a deaconess and hostess/greeter.

Mildred loved going to church very much.

She loved to cook and would often have her family, friends and her church family at her home for dinners of celebration.

Her hobbies included picking greens from the field, helping others and fixing things around the house.

Mom would always tell us not to ponder on the negative things because you give too much room to Satan to enter, but when negative things comes your way, call on Jesus and give him thanks. She loved God very much.

Mildred was affectionately called Mom by her children and Mom Mildred by her grandchildren.

We loved holidays and Sundays as Mom Mildred did all the cooking and baking from scratch .

She will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by family, friends and the many lives she touched.

A special thanks to the Home Health Agencies (Generation, Cheer and Maxim), Bayhealth-Milford Memorial Hospital 2West Wing nurses, CNAs, Dr. Harvey Lee and in the Emergency Department a special thanks to Dave and the nurses.

Thanks is also given to Elder William Parker for his inspiration and kind words on April 5 when he stopped by the hospital to encourage the family with son, Marvin Parker, who blessed Mom with three songs.

It was a beautiful moment to see and the best medicine that was given to her as she showed signs of joy and appreciation.

Mildred's husband, Virgil, preceded her in death, as well as her siblings, Mary Catherine Harmon Sammons, Jean Harmon Bundy, Rachel Harmon Coston, Helen Harmon Harrison, Joe Harmon, John Harmon, and Floyd Harmon.

She leaves her fond memories to cherish to her children, Berthada Wright of Georgetown, Helen Williams of Philadelphia, Mildred Polk of Harbeson, Thelma Cottman of Georgetown, and Virgil Cottman of Harbeson; a sister, Marie Taylor of Millsboro; 29 grandchildren; 53 great-grandchildren; 32 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was a triumph and we will cherish her beautiful memories.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday in the Millsboro Seventh-day Adventist Church, Cordrey Road, Millsboro, where friends may call two hours prior to the service.

Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Milford.